When to Pick Pudge

The best time to pick Pudge is when the enemy draft gives his hook clean lines and few ways to break his ultimate. He shines against heroes who rely on spell immunity, have few summons to block hooks, and lack quick stuns or silences. Picking him later in the draft also helps, because the enemy has fewer chances to answer him.

Is Pudge a good pick right now?

That depends on the game, not only the patch. We do not call any hero good or bad without data. The Pudge matchup pages show his real results against each opponent, with sample size and the date of the data.

For a quick view of the opponents that give him trouble, see the Pudge counters page. Use both pages during the draft to check what you are walking into.

Which enemy heroes make Pudge a good pick?

Look at how the enemy wins fights. Some traits play into Pudge's spells.

• Heroes who rely on Black King Bar. Meat Hook and Dismember both pierce spell immunity. A core who plans to turn on BKB and fight still gets hooked and held. Our BKB guide explains which spells go through it.
• Heroes with few escape tools. Once Dismember starts, the target cannot act until it ends or is broken. Heroes without a way to dodge a hook are easier targets.
• Heroes who must channel. A hook interrupts a channel such as a Town Portal Scroll. Enemies who stand still to cast are easy to catch.

None of these traits guarantee a win. They only mean Pudge's tools line up well against the enemy plan.

Which drafts make Pudge a risky pick?

Some enemy tools work directly against him. Watch for these before you lock him in.

• Many units on the field. The hook stops at the first unit it hits. Heroes who summon creatures or make illusions can block lines all game.
• Quick stuns and silences. These break the Dismember channel. A team full of instant disables can stop your combo before it does its job.
• Strong dispels. Dismember can be removed by a strong dispel. Check if the enemy has heroes or items that provide one.
• Heavy ranged harass in lane. Pudge is a melee hero. A lane against two ranged heroes can be painful, so plan your lane carefully.

If the enemy already shows several of these, think twice. A different hero may do the same job with less risk.

When in the draft should you pick Pudge?

Pudge is a well-known hero. Many players know how to answer him, so showing him early lets the enemy plan around him.

A later pick lets you see the enemy heroes first. You can check them against the lists above and the matchup pages. If the enemy has already used their picks on heroes Pudge handles well, he becomes a safer choice.

An earlier pick can still work if your team has a clear plan. For example, a team built around ganks may want him first and adapt the rest of the draft to him.

Which allies help Pudge?

Pudge wants teammates who can follow up a hook. Heroes with stuns or burst damage turn a landed hook into a quick kill.

He also likes allies who give vision and help him move unseen. A team that plays together in the fog gives him more hook chances. Our guide to heroes that pair with Pudge goes into detail.

Allies with their own channeled spells may clash with his Dismember. Both of you would need protection at the same time. Talk to your team about who goes in first.

Which role should you pick Pudge for?

Pudge can play several roles. Support and offlane are common, and mid is a known option. The Pudge build page shows what players build for each role.

Pick a role your team needs, not just the one you like. If your team lacks a frontline, an offlane Pudge can absorb attention. If your team needs ganks and vision, a support Pudge can roam. Our offlane tips and support tips cover each job.

What draft tips help you make the call?

Use a short routine during each draft.

• Count the enemy disables that could break Dismember.
• Count heroes that make lots of units to block hooks.
• Note who relies on spell immunity, since your key spells pierce it.
• Check your lane against the matchup pages.
• Ask if your team can follow up on a hook.

If most answers favor Pudge, pick him with confidence. If they do not, there is no shame in choosing another hero. For more help, read our beginner guide.

Checklist

• Check the matchup pages and counters page before you lock Pudge.
• Prefer a later pick so you can see the enemy heroes first.
• Pick Pudge into spell-immunity cores, since hook and ultimate pierce it.
• Avoid him into many summons, quick disables or strong dispels.
• Make sure your team has follow-up for a landed hook.
• Choose the role your team needs most.